Argument from consciousness

J.P. Moreland

The argument from consciousness is an argument for the existence of God based on the problems consciousness poses for the atheistic worldview. The best-known defender of the argument from consciousness is the Christian apologist J.P. Moreland.[1] See: Atheism and consciousness

John Piippo summarizes Moreland's argument from consciousness thusly:

“  |  J.P. is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. His writing is crisp-clear. He's a brilliant thinker. He understands the relevant issues. Ultimately, this argument succeeds as an example of abductive reasoning:

* 1) irreducible consciousness exists
* 2) the best explanation for irreducible consciousness is either theism or naturalism
* 3) it's not naturalism.
* 4) therefore, theism is the most probable explanation for the existence of irreducible consciousness.[2]

|  ”

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Other explanation of the argument from consciousness:

* Nature consists of a finite number of elements.
* We (our physical bodies) consist of those elements.
* The elements themselves which we consist of, and nature itself, have no consciousness.
* Despite our elements themselves having no consciousness, we do.
* Consciousness could not originate through blind natural forces, therefore there must be a being who supply that to us.
* Infinite regress of beings is illogical, therefore a single, uncaused causer must be the causer of consciousness.
* This uncaused causer of the conscience is God

## Contents

* 1 Professor John Piippo on the argument from consciousnes
* 2 British ex-atheist Anthony Flew on the argument from consciousness
* 3 Atheists on the problem of consciousness
* 4 Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness
* 5 Objections to the argument from consciousness
* 6 See also
* 7 External links
* 8 Notes

## Professor John Piippo on the argument from consciousnes[edit]

* The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo
* Consciousness: One of Atheism's Irresolvable Problems by John Piippo

## British ex-atheist Anthony Flew on the argument from consciousness[edit]

The British ex-atheist Anthony Flew in his book There is a God, points to the existence of consciousness as a problem for atheists.[3]

## Atheists on the problem of consciousness[edit]

* The atheist Sam Harris on the problem of consciousness for an atheistic worldview
* Atheist Luke Muehlhauser on human consciousness
* Atheist John Horgan on consciousness

## Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness[edit]

Scientific American quote of physicist Marcelo Gleisler on atheism and consciousness

## Objections to the argument from consciousness[edit]

* Infinite regress is allowable both in modern mathematics and physics.
* The previous point (that the uncaused causer is God) is unsupported unless it is taken as a statement of definition. If this is the case, the prior arguments are unnecessary.

## See also[edit]

* Arguments for the existence of God
* Atheism and the brain
* Atheism and reason
* Atheism and critical thinking
* Atheism and knowledge
* Atheism and irrationality
* Atheism and logic
* Faith and reason
* Atheism and transhumanism
* Atheism and intelligence

## External links[edit]

* How Consciousness Points to the Existence of God \- Cold-Case Christianity with J. Warner Wallace

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
2. ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo, 3/20/2012
3. ↑ The Argument from Consciousness for the Existence of God by John Piippo